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Ten teams under most pressure to strike it rich in 2017 NFL Draft

Green Bay Packers Cheeseheads

Panthers searching for Cam Newton protection

As it stands right now, the Carolina Panthers are heading into the 2017 season with Matt Kalil penciled in as the starting left tackle to protect Cam Newton’s blind side.

Newton was sacked 33 times in 2016 and 39 times last year, even though he missed a game with a concussion.

The increase in pressure had a lot to do with starting left tackle Michael Oher missing all but three games with a concussion — one that he was still not cleared from as recently as this month. At this point the Panthers are “cautiously optimistic” he can continue his career, but really retirement should absolutely be on the table.

Kalil is not a good replacement for Oher. In fact, one could say that he’s exactly what Newton doesn’t need on the blind side — something we believe to be absolutely true.

This is a bad year to be searching for offensive tackles in the draft. But Carolina desperately needs to find diamond in the rough or make a bold play for a top tackle by trading up in the first round.

If the Panthers don’t upgrade the talent at offensive tackle, then Newton will continue to take a pounding and the offense will continue to struggle.

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